[ Only the first of the three letters contained in this article is being
transmitted, since it refers to the murder of Maria Mejia, a 47-year-old
Quiche Indian in Guatemala on 17 March of this year. --Gary ]
***"Freedom Writers Network Appeal Cases - July 1992"***
Each month, Amnesty International's Freedom Writers Network focuses on three
different cases of victims of human rights abuse. Some may be prisoners of
conscience -- people imprisoned solely for their beliefs, color, sex, ethnic
origins, language, or religion, who have not used or advocated violence.
Others may have been denied a fair and prompt trial, while others may have
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at the top of each letter and send a copy to the embassy address at the
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please write to: Amnesty International, 322 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY
10001.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
S.E. Jorge Serrano Elias
Presidente de la Republica de Guatemala
Palacio Nacional
Guatemala
GUATEMALA
Excelentisimo Sr. Presidente,
I am deeply disturbed to hear of the death of Maria
Mejia, a 47-year-old Quiche Indian who was shot dead in her
home in the village of Parraxtut Segundo Centro, El Quiche
department, by two Guatemalan military agents on March 17,
1990. Her husband, Pedro Castro Tojin, was seriously
wounded in the attack. They had received death threats
because of their membership in the Council of Ethnic
Communities (CERJ), formed in Guatemala in 1988 to defend
the rights of indigenous peoples.
Although judicial and police officials arrived the next
day to investigate, the inquiry was seriously flawed. No
photographs were taken, no attempts were made to locate
material evidence, and no autopsy was ever conducted on
Maria Mejia's body. Indeed, family members and villagers
affiliated with CERJ and those who testified about her
killing were threatened, on some occasions by the two men
believed to be responsible for her murder. These two were
arrested in May 1990, but released several days later on
grounds of insufficient evidence. Pedro Castro Tojin's
testimony was declared inadmissable because of his
relationship with the victim.
I am extremely concerned about this case. I understand
from the independent human rights organization Amnesty
International that few such cases have been investigated in
Guatemala. When cases have been investigated, the
investigations have reportedly been fraught with judicial
irregularities. I respectfully request that you look into
this matter and see that those responsible for the killing
of Maria Mejia are held accountable for their crime.
Sincerely,
copy to:
His Excellency Juan Jose Caso-Fanjul
Embassy of Guatemala
2220 R Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008